Internal capsule strokes are differentiated from cortical strokes by the absence of cortical deficits.
Typical internal capsule stroke syndromes are
Blood supply of the internal capsule:
| Part | Blood supply | Contents | Symptoms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anterior limb | Mainly LS branches of MCA | Frontopontine fibers Anterior thalamic radiation |
Confusion, agitation, dysarthria |
| Genu | LS branches of MCA | Corticobulbar tracts (i.e descending tracts to the cranial nerve nuclei)ra | Deficiencies of facial expression, swallowing and mastication |
| Posterior limb | LS Branches of MCA Anterior Choroidal artery (branch of ICA) |
1. Descending motor tracts in anterior half, 2. ascending sensory relays in posterior 1/3 |
Pure motor stroke Mixed sensory motor stroke |